If you’ve got 4C hair, you already know the deal. It’s beautiful, but it’s stressful. That’s because the tight coils are extremely challenging to moisturise – and retaining that moisture is even harder.
There’s nothing worse than running your fingers through what should be buttery soft, moist hair, and instead it feels like straw. Such a turn-off.
Unlike looser curl patterns, 4C hair’s structure makes it more difficult to moisturise. But, there is hope.
Keep reading to find out what you can do to get soft, hydrated curls and coils. But, first a bit of history.
I went natural in the Summer of 2013 and it was a disaster.
As someone who had a relaxer since she was 12, I knew just what to do to keep my relaxed hair soft and silky straight. But, natural hair? That was a whole other ballgame.
To make matters worse, I had no proper guidance. And that’s because most of the women in my family had relaxed hair, too. So, I spent years trying to find a proper routine with the right products to keep my coils hydrated and moisturised.
I Tried Everything To Get Rid Of My Dry 4C Hair
I did everything. The LOC method, the LCO method, apple cider vinegar rinses to clarify, slathered on shea butter, soaked it in rice water. Baby, I tried it all.
Natural 4C hair doesn’t exactly come with a manual, and if I’m being honest, this type of hair might be the most difficult to maintain. That’s because 4C’s coily texture makes it very difficult for moisturising products to migrate from the roots to the ends.
It took me years to come up with a routine that worked for me.
So, if your hair feels more like hay than cotton, you’ve come to the right place.
But, First – What Is 4C Hair?
Before we get into the routine, what is 4C hair?
4C hair is the most tightly coiled hair out there. It tends to have a zig-zag pattern that can get curly with gels (try this Aunt Jackie’s Curl Boss) and other curling creams. But, in its raw state, it doesn’t have much of a curl definition.
It also has a soft, fluffy, cottony appearance, which I love.
A hairstylist by the name of Andre Walker (he was Oprah Winfrey’s hairstylist)is credited with coming up with a hair typing system. The hair texture scale is still a bit controversial in some circles. But, I find that it perfectly explains the different types of natural hair.
Some famous celebrities with 4C tresses include singers Solange and India Arie, as well as model, Wakeema Hollis.
It’s beautiful and versatile. You can straighten and twist it, it looks fantastic in pompadours, two strand twists, bantu knots and locks.
Why Is 4C So Hard To Maintain
Ah, yes. The million-dollar question. Why is 4C hair so darn hard to maintain.
Honestly, it’s not always your fault. Like I mentioned earlier, the texture itself makes it difficult to hydrate and moisturise. It’s just the way our hair is.
In addition to that, some people just don’t use the right products.
It’s not uncommon for women with 4C using hair care products or a regimen that is better suited for curly 3A hair. I see it all the time on YouTube.
Women with 4C hair constantly watch content creators whose hair is very different from their own.
What works for 3A or 3B hair will not necessarily work for 4C hair.
That’s akin to having dry skin, but using a product designed for someone with oily skin. It just doesn’t work.
People need to get to know their hair and experiment until they find what works for them . When they find that routine, stick with it.
Ok, Ok. So, What Do I Do About My Dry 4C Hair?
1. Start With Water
4C hair is one of the hardest to keep moisturised, yet you’d be surprised just how many people don’t think to reach for their water bottle first to moisturise their tresses.
Before I apply any type of product to my hair, I start my spraying my hair down with water. The minute I do that, I can immediately see and feel my strands plumping up.
For those who don’t know, 4C strands tend to be fine and very low porosity. It’s also very easy to break. So, infusing your hair with water is a great starting point. This helps your hair absorb all of the other products you’re going to apply.
Can I tell you something? I get upset when I see women slathering on greases and other pomades thinking those items will keep their hair moist. They don’t even reach for water.
Grease is a sealant. It offers no hydration to the hair itself.
2. Get Regular Moisturising Treatments
Parched tresses need hydration. End of story. This is why it’s so important to get regular deep conditioning treatments.
One of my faves is a steam treatment. One of the Washington, DC salons that I go to was the first salon to put me under the steamer.
Honestly, I didn’t know what I was missing.
Past hair stylists would slather deep conditioning treatment on my hair, put a plastic bag on my head and then place me under the dryer for the conditioner to penetrate my hair shaft.
But, after trying the steamer, I can’t go back. My hair always feels buttery soft following a steam session, and that softness lasts for days.
In fact, I’m so addicted that I bought my own steamer. I have no regrets.
You will find that your hairstyle lasts longer and your tresses will feel better if it’s properly hydrated and moisturised. And don’t forget those trims. They’re crucial.
3. Choose The Right Products To Avoid Dry 4C Hair?
Since 2013, I have tried hundreds of products. That is no exaggeration. I’m talking mainstream products, homemade products, online products, you name it.
One of the biggest mistakes I made was not finding products with water as the first ingredient. Secondly, I used to buy products that women with a different texture hair would recommend. That was not smart.
The reality is, you have to kiss a few frogs in order to find your prince. So, try several products in the beginning and see what works for you.
There are three products that I refuse to give up on and I hope their formulas never change.
4. I Am Devoted To Aunt Jackie’s Line
I will never. Ever. Ever ever ever stop using the Aunt Jackie’s line. No one recommended this line to me. In fact, the reason I bought their Curl La La Defining Curl Custard on a whim because it smelled good and was purple. I kid you not. You can find it here on Amazon.
Luckily, it worked out. The curl custard is enriched with shea butter and olive oil.
This twisting cream gives me the softest, juiciest twist outs ever. It also makes my hair smell amazing. Anytime I walk by someone, they ask me what’s in my hair because they love the smell.
More than that – it works! It moisturises my hair without making it feel greasy or weighed down. I have no clue how they do it, but it works perfectly for my hair.
Another Aunt Jackie product is makes the cut is their Quench! – a moisture intensive leave-in conditioner.
Typically, I use this after shampooing my hair, but I also use it when my hair needs hydration fast. My hair drinks this product up. You can get it here.
Another leave-in conditioner that my 4C hair loves, is the Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner. This baby rocks.
Pure Jamaican Castor Oil is too heavy for my fine tresses. However, Shea Moisture’s leave-in conditioner does a fabulous job of infusing the oil without it weighing my hair down.
5. Seal Your 4C Hair With A Good Oil
By no means am I advocating for you to go oil crazy, but I find that the Design Essentials Edge & Temple Strengthening Oil is light enough for my hair. After twisting my hair, I apply a small amount of this product to lock in the moisture.
In addition to the strengthening oil, I use this Design Essentials Soothing Scalp Tonic when I have my hair in twists, braids and plaits.
6. Always Wear A Bonnet/Scarf/Satin Pillowcases
What we’re not going to do is do all of this hard work to moisturise our dry 4C hair only to have cotton sheets and pillowcases dry it out.
Please invest in a silk or satin bonnet, scarf or pillowcases. They won’t dry out your hair.
7. Plait Your Hair At Night
Foolishly, I used to leave my hair out before bed. I don’t like any type of tension on my scalp, so I would go to bed with a curly afro and wake up to a tangled mess.
Plaiting the hair keeps it stretched and allows any products you used previously, to migrate to the ends of your hair. It also prevents single-strand knots.
To Sum It Up – 4C Can Be Soft With The Right Regimen
Before I go, please know that you do not have to shell out hundreds of dollars on products to moisturise your hair. You just need the right tools and techniques.
Also, listen to your hair. It will tell you what it wants. 4C hair is stubborn; it does its own thing and it changes its mind frequently. So, what works in the summer may not work in the winter months. Pay attention and adjust your regimen accordingly.
Head to the comments section and tell me if you’ve used any of these products or implemented any of these routines and how they worked for you.
*Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. This means that if you click on one of the links and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. All of my thoughts are my own and I would never recommend a product or gift that I do not stand by 100%.*
